FOCUS ON A Newsletter by ODC, Inc.
ability
FALL 2014
MY WORK. MY CHOICE.
TOP: Members of the Central Wisconsin A Team and others who are advocating for a full array of service options for people with disabilities recently gathered for a rally at ODC in Wisconsin Rapids.
For nearly 50 years, ODC has worked to meet the needs of people with disabilities in our community. We have developed programs in response to emerging needs, and in partnership with our funding sources and donors, we have been innovative in creating work opportunities for people at all levels of ability. ODC offers an array of programs that give individuals options and the ability to choose the program or programs that work best for them. Our programs include center-based training, community-based employment and day services. Through an ongoing process called person-centered planning, each person identifies their desired goals and outcomes. Various options are discussed, and through an informed choice process, individuals are able to select the programs they feel will best meet their needs. Some people may participate in one program, while others may combine multiple programs. ODC’s programs are funded in part with state funding and in part with federal Medicaid funding. Recent changes in Medicaid funding rules could have a significant impact on any programs that operate within ODC’s center-based settings. These new rules require services to be delivered in the “most integrated setting appropriate to meet the individual’s needs”, based on the person-
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centered plan. The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is still in process of determining whether or not center-based work or day services programs meet these changing rules. In the meantime, the State of Wisconsin is required to submit a plan for how they will meet the CMS rules; without clarity on the rules for work settings, the state plan is also unclear on the future of center-based program options. “ODC has always believed that offering a variety of options is a very good thing, in order to meet a wide variety of needs and to give people choices,” states Pam Ross, ODC President. - Aden Ward, Parent of an “We strongly support individual with a disability people’s choices. If a person wants to work in the community, we will support them toward that goal. We’ve increased community employment significantly over the years;
“My son’s life blossomed with his connection to ODC."
SEE MY WORK. MY CHOICE. / PAGE 3
In Our Own Words
1191 Huntington Avenue Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494 2406 East 21st Street Marshfield, WI 54449
This column, In Our Own Words, features the inspiring words and stories of those on the front lines of ODC’s mission: our staff, our volunteers and our supporters, as well as the parents and caregivers of people with disabilities. Together, we achieve! I have always viewed ODC as a progressive and innovative organization. I am proud of the programs we have developed to meet emerging needs over the years, and proud of our progress in
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creating opportunities for people with disabilities. I
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proud of their success.
am continually inspired by the people we serve, and
While ODC has faced many changes and challenges as an organization over our nearly 50 years of existence, we are currently being challenged to think
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“way outside the box”, as federal funding policies could dramatically change
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us to ask ourselves, “What if we as an organization had to operate our
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the way we are able to operate. These impending changes are compelling programs without the use of our facilities?” “What if all of our programs had to be delivered only in the community?” “What would it look like?” ODC’s mission to “empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals” can be accomplished in a number of ways, and in
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a number of places. Yet we have always felt and continue to feel that
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even those who have the most significant support needs.
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balancing our time and effort between advocacy and transformation.
having both the center-based and community-based options has been a key to being able to most effectively meet everyone’s unique needs
As we face this time of uncertainty about funding policies, we are While we will continue to strongly advocate for the full array of service options and will continue to encourage those we serve to self-advocate,
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we must at the same time look ahead at how we can effectively transform our organization and programs to meet changing funding
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requirements and accomplish our mission in different ways.
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five years, with significant effort on finding ways to increase community
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In reality, we have been in this process of transformation for the past employment and community-based day services opportunities. We are making great progress in helping more individuals get jobs in the community, having more than doubled the number of people in supported employment over the past five years. We have witnessed the excitement and pride that people experience when they get a job in the community, and that motivates us to
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continue to find community jobs for even more people. We will continue to look at each individual’s strengths, and find ways to match those strengths with opportunities… and we will continue to partner with our communities to accomplish our important mission. - Pam Ross, President of ODC, Inc.
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“My son’s life blossomed with his connection to ODC. He became an employee, had a range of professional services available to him, and developed a social life with significant friendships arising through his work. He enjoyed his work, and met often with staff to discuss his employment options. Almost from the beginning, his case manager suggested that he consider working in the community, but because of his lack of confidence, he resisted. By 2012, he was able to transition to community employment, and he now divides his work between WOW Logistics and ODC. His ability to work in the community is possible because of the support system in place at ODC. Through the years, we have come to see many ODC workers transition to community employment… this outside employment is made possible because each client of ODC is engaged in a process that not only increases skill levels, but maybe more importantly, helps develop and maintain self-esteem and selfawareness. Through the dedication and skill of ODC staff, persons with disabilities who have little selfconfidence find themselves growing and maturing and achieving a job in the wider community. We are advocating that there continue to be a full array of service options for people with disabilities, and an array of employment options in both communitybased and center-based programs that give ALL people the opportunity to work.” -Aden Ward Parent of an individual with a disability
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MY WORK. MY CHOICE. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
at the same time, we also respect people’s choice to work in our center-based programs. We want to see a continued array of options and choices for people.” In order to ensure that people served by ODC have the opportunity to voice their opinions and advocate for what is important to them, ODC has established an “A Team” as part of a statewide network of A Teams. These teams ensure that people with disabilities and their families are aware of issues that impact them, and that they have the ability and tools to advocate for what matters to them. ODC’s A Team has participated in several educational forums as well as meeting and communicating with policy makers and legislators. In early 2014, ODC’s A Team was one of several teams that participated in a “Day at the State Capitol”, where they met with many state legislators to voice their concerns. The motto of the state A Teams is “My Work. My Choice.” Editor's Note: For more information on “My Work. My Choice.”, please visit the A Team website at www. ateamwisconsin.org.
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CAROL’S WORK. CAROL’S CHOICE. Everyone who knows Carol describes her in the same way – she loves to work and is willing to try any new job, despite the physical challenges she faces. “Carol does not let her disability limit her from wanting to try new things,” said Raquel Szymanski, ODC Transition Coordinator. “She really wants to be successful, and gives everything her all.” Like many of the individuals served by ODC, Carol is a busy woman. She works four days a week at ODC, where supportive staff make adaptations to jobs so that Carol can perform them despite the fact that she has limited use of her hands. Carol also works at Goodwill, a job she truly enjoys. In the past, an ODC job coach supported Carol at Goodwill each time she worked; now, because of adaptations made by ODC to Carol’s work station, she is working independently. ODC Day Services programming is also part of Carol’s busy week. She enjoys crafting in her free time, and will bring projects to ODC for others in her Arts and Crafts class to try themselves. She has begun volunteering for Meals on Wheels, and the opportunity to help others is very important to her. “Carol is a kind-hearted person,” said Szymanski. “She is truly a pleasure to know.”
DUSTIN’S WORK. DUSTIN’S CHOICE. According to Chris Nemitz, ODC Service Coordinator, Dustin is a perfect example of how much can be achieved when individuals with disabilities, their families and ODC staff all work together toward a common goal. Dustin came to ODC in 2009, just out of high school. Nemitz states that he wasn’t well prepared for a work environment. “He was having trouble motivating himself without help,” said Nemitz, “and wasn’t pushing himself to learn and grow. He was working well below his capability level.” All that has changed, but Dustin’s journey was not quick or easy. The 2 ½ years he spent working at the ODC work center was the game-changer. “We openly challenged Dustin,” said Nemitz, “and involved his parents in the process. We all knew that he had so much more to contribute, was so much more capable than he was showing us.” Slowly, with time and ODC staff as his coaches and cheerleaders, Dustin began to buy into the challenge. He set his own goals, which included developing his work skills and work ethic at ODC as well as actively searching for employment in a community setting. As his confidence level grew, he was able to move into his own apartment and begin living independently. Dustin is now participating in an eight week work experience at Family Video. With the assistance of his ODC job coach, he is “trying out” the world of work in a community business for the first time, and loving every minute of it. Dustin is a young man who, as Nemitz puts it, “has tons of talent, and has come a very long way.” p4
Opportunity Development Centers, Inc.
FRANCES’ WORK. FRANCES’ CHOICE. Frances’ path to successful employment began within the ODC work center in 2003. During most of the years since that time, Frances has worked in community jobs and at the work center, where she performs a variety of jobs, and continues to build her self-confidence and reinforce her good work habits. “The work center has been a very supportive environment for Frances,” said Mary Blanchard, ODC Employment Resource Manager. “She has addressed some very complex personal issues in her life, and ODC staff were always there to provide the stability and structure she needed to get through that difficult time.” Over the years, Frances has seen her community work hours decreased and positions eliminated due to cost containment. Most recently, her four-year position at Arby’s was eliminated and she turned to ODC for assistance. Employment staff worked with Frances to obtain two part-time fill-in jobs at Quality Roofing and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, until she was ultimately hired for a permanent part-time position at Hotel Marshfield. She also continues to work at ODC. “Work is very important to Frances, and she has such a strong work ethic,” said Blanchard. “She’s very dependable, shows up ready to work, and has a great attitude. She’s so grateful that she’s gotten this opportunity with Hotel Marshfield and recently commented that she doesn’t just like her job, she LOVES it!”
EDDIE’S WORK. EDDIE’S CHOICE. If you visit ODC to drop off electronics for recycling, you’ll probably meet Eddie. He is affectionately known as one of the “warehouse guys”, as his jobs at ODC are located primarily within the large warehouse in Wisconsin Rapids. He is responsible for collecting, sorting and properly storing the large volume of electronic equipment that is disassembled for recycling by ODC workers each day. He also works a very large cardboard compactor, compressing and bundling truckloads of cardboard for recycling. Eddie came to ODC to work and to learn. He participates each week in Independent Living classes offered in ODC’s Day Services program, which focus on skills training in adult life activities such as cooking, shopping, laundry and money management. He is also working with ODC staff on the skills needed for successful community employment, including following direction and attention to detail. Like many others at ODC, Eddie is exploring his community employment interests by joining work crews which meet the project needs of businesses on-site at their location. Over the past two years, Eddie has joined crews working at WOW Logistics, Manilla Gorilla and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters baseball stadium. Each work crew job has given Eddie the opportunity to try a new work experience in a supportive setting, with others that he knows, and to take those important first steps toward community employment. Deb Kehrberg, ODC Service Coordinator, sums it up: “Eddie’s potential is limitless. He is a determined young man with a strong work ethic. His future is very bright.”
Empowering People With Disabilites To Achieve
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In Their Own Words In Their Own Words features stories of opportunity, support and personal achievement. In this column, we
DAVID "My name is David and I have worked at Opportunity
FOCUS ON ABILITY!
MARK
Development Centers, Inc. in Wisconsin Rapids for
“My name is Mark and I have a heart murmur that is part
to keep my job. It is my choice to work here and I
five years. I am very proud of where I work and I want
of my disability. I graduated from high school in 1987 when I was 21. I worked at Goodwill for a while during
need the money I earn at ODC for my family to make it. I am able to set my own goals which are helping me learn the skills I
high school and
need to work in
after I graduated.
the community,
I then started
and have the
working at ODC
support I need
in the fall of
to work towards
1987 in the work
them. Without
center. For me,
these supports
working at ODC
I would not be
is challenging
able to find a
because I get
job and feel
to do a variety
comfortable
of work. I like
working in the
to work at ODC
community yet.
and I think we
I have made
are like a family
friends with
here and I like to work with my friends. They help many people to get jobs in the community, too. I have worked on work crews in the community doing lawn work and working at another company doing assembly projects when they need us. We have a commercial kitchen at ODC and I got to work in there, too. ODC is a good place to work and they are encouraging me to work in the community too. I just had a part-time job in the community at the Literacy
some of my co-workers and wouldn’t be able to see them if I lost this job. I would like to continue working at ODC. For instance, if I was to get a job in the community and I could not keep it, I would have nothing to fall back on for a job if I didn’t have ODC. My goal is to get a parttime job in the community and also work at ODC. I can’t stress enough the importance of not only my job to work at ODC but the other people that work there
Council and also stayed working at ODC. Even with
as well.
ODC's job coach to help me, I felt like the job was too
Thank you for taking the time to listen.”
much for me and I decided not to work there anymore, and now I am working only at ODC. I would not want to
- DAVID
see ODC's facility go away because I like working here
Editor’s Note: Mark and David sent these letters to their
and they help so many people with disabilities to work
legislators, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services
here or in the community. I hope that we will always
and Governor Walker in response to concerns over potential
have that choice to work wherever we choose. The
changes in Medicaid funding that may affect ODC’s center-
community is fine for many people to work, but I really
based programs and others like them within the state.
think the facility is the best choice for me and for some other people.”
- MARK
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Opportunity Development Centers, Inc.
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Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. 1191 Huntington Avenue Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
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